[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6093680,"mediaKeyId","2845697-941d38fa73b31d98fa02b9cf080f2036","parentId",2845697,"title","City finance team earns GFOA certificate of achievement for 27th year","audioSeconds",128,"startMs",925000,"endMs",1053000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2845697-941d38fa73b31d98fa02b9cf080f2036&start=925&end=1053","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2845697-941d38fa73b31d98fa02b9cf080f2036/thumbnail_925000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6093680/University-Place/Pierce-County/Washington/City-finance-team-earns-GFOA-certificate-of-achievement-for-27th-year","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093680-046115e69c3d92b7ac8704363323f99f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773749665&Signature=MQHDM6FTvc7Qha4K5RRE7kCD2J3klcbjjMBpIjr1EWy8BmMLF2Zd8ugGSaFJTKjw46mCsC369-RG6uTFlGkD6ZG4nqz14ijhczVjBR6Ul5kKOVDYWZXBZlziEzQCxR4l-p3~v0V2qxKoYT6iiq85o4rdiEvbrIB~yCDs3BmC--cb6gqRs85Sm12oj1XK9dnMdxOLq1JzucPTSu2koLhLCwelAdZysGx4dtT2Gmkpu9UPLKhL1SZvA2UKO~DWSYlE3qpkHYI6TQK7ZHQpJHypDo9bFNDJpWtFR-o6rxhPn9KxZITicsANOrDNH3zxaxt2MGJUho-uAUe3ScoU72HUgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","University Place, WA","date","2025-04-02T12:40:06.817Z","article","City Manager Steve Sugg reported during the March 17 meeting that the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) granted the City of University Place the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 27th year.

Sugg credited Finance Director Leslie Blaisdale and her team for the work that produced the 2024 fourth-quarter financial report and the award. \"This is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting,\" Sugg said.

Council members offered congratulations during council comments; several members noted the award reflects consistent financial stewardship and contributes to public trust in the city's fiscal management.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hybrid U.P. City Council Meeting, March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City Manager Steve Sugg reported the Government Finance Officers Association awarded University Place the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 27th time, recognizing the finance department's 2024 reporting.","taxTitle","University Place, Pierce County, Washington","taxId",51958,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6093684,"Council member Worthington announces he will not seek re-election",3409,1211000,4620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2845697-941d38fa73b31d98fa02b9cf080f2036&start=1211&end=4620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2845697-941d38fa73b31d98fa02b9cf080f2036/thumbnail_1211000.jpg","/articles/6093684/University-Place/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-member-Worthington-announces-he-will-not-seek-re-election","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093684-72afe557c4cd351b70df18dba458dce7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773749665&Signature=I23KAXKt63PCJxORohFLhITh1ksiovYsZlYYTc8w9K2WwJG0PodAMkb6DdEJcXGAU2UOi2CQOu2Dh3dPVsns0yz60Xd2TgBqJj8f55uV55DlVkPVKfRU~FnSfiR~mRNNFXYSUMPxIH20W1oI3z~dVSw7KfalgCrvXPtsrCxuGKx5YZ9vDVFgNpv4abQW-P6k4UDe~4-2pO8EKsYFaA7yEPRf1dOu~ljplXRKX6YRbzbXuNFCjeEtZaRsy-nbk4Fk~-RlkEDFZAuf1RiaCZ4gzENs3dFmyNFY9EIle~s1mZ1h4eVdjbjv-fNbHhm58sQ~fPxcyIQZ8QhF1aCYDobMDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council member Worthington told the March 17 meeting he will not file for a fourth term in the next election cycle.

Worthington said he and his spouse plan to move to be nearer grandchildren after 26 years in University Place. \"This is my twelfth year, my third term. I will not be filing for a fourth term,\" he said. He told colleagues he intends to remain on the council until his voting registration address changes.

Colleagues praised Worthington's long service and his contributions to the city's financial stability. Mayor Javier Figueroa and others highlighted his role in strengthening the city's reserve position and fiscal oversight.","Council member Worthington, serving his third term and twelfth year on the council, told colleagues March 17 he will not file for a fourth term and plans to relocate to be nearer family.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6093688,"University Place council studies city events; parade candy, pacing and insurance draw scrutiny",2970,2790000,5760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2845697-941d38fa73b31d98fa02b9cf080f2036&start=2790&end=5760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2845697-941d38fa73b31d98fa02b9cf080f2036/thumbnail_2790000.jpg","/articles/6093688/University-Place/Pierce-County/Washington/University-Place-council-studies-city-events-parade-candy-pacing-and-insurance-draw-scrutiny","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093688-882676fb7a85762870067c736de432f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773749665&Signature=Ry~Iwd8FI-xMu7myVBphG-UF-hFi1s6rQyEPTSxA5y3uOqYaIwcD--ktbLuM9GqurAIYo4GNgd9PCqtXLf~JqmfsnLewbnrbqjd4Deyt~EjAR~9doopd3P5WPOEMBr0~a7j8pqPNlReDo3v4TMwvoZn9a5yng1k7pApMZNwJAIM3iQw1AJxBGxYpCyimYiZAzWbK0gsoRaNOOp2oz6AgLgryyY58DOZn1~g7--z4EzBiIcZJxmzXXrT-j67qAAq0N21V~umzaPmJIrAEH4lkbOA3vzR~2QJFLw18nhtLLkYNQQ0XaDVTvq3aYYSfxp-HgSx9K15b7mJ0le2aUwSezg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members and staff spent most of a March 17 study session reviewing University Place's 2025 lineup of city-sponsored events, their budgeted costs and risk-management practices after concerns raised following last year's Duck Days parade.

Lisa Plutoric, director of administrative services, told the council the city budgeted $273,000 for 11 events in 2025 and estimated roughly 878 staff hours to support them. \"The total budgeted cost for events for 2025 is $273,000,\" she said, and noted Winterfest was elevated this year partly because $50,000 of the line item is for a new tree purchase.

Farrah DeRosier and Drew Bryant from the Washington Cities Insurance Authority urged stronger vendor contracting and careful choice of event activities. \"If you can hire someone to handle the entire event for you, and the city can contractually transfer the risk, that would be ideal,\" DeRosier said. She and Bryant urged organizers to require vendors to carry commercial general liability and auto insurance and to name the city as additional insured.

Parade safety drew repeated attention. WCIA recommended restricting candy distribution from vehicles because children running into the street creates risk; staff and several council members instead proposed a compromise that preserves candy distribution but changes how it is done. Staff said their recommended approach is that vehicles lead the parade, walkers follow, and candy be handed out by walkers rather than tossed from vehicles. \"No candy being thrown from the cars ... but we would like the opportunity to still have candy given out,\" staff said.

Council members raised additional operational concerns: gaps in parade pacing that left long stretches with no participants, inconsistent communication to registered groups, and staffing of staging and inspection points. Chief Pat Burke and event staff recommended more staff at staging, clearer pre-event meetings with participating groups and stronger on-site oversight to keep the parade moving at an appropriate pace.

Several council members pressed for an explicit policy decision about the city's risk tolerance for events, noting the topic carries both public-safety and budgetary implications. Mayor Pro Tem Wood said, \"The policy turns on how much risk are we willing to accept,\" and several members asked staff to return quickly with a narrowed set of options so decisions can be made with the event season approaching.

Council members also questioned per-attendee costs for several events, pointing out some show relatively high cost per participant. Mayor Figueroa and others asked staff to prepare clearer cost-per-participant metrics and to explore volunteer roles and possible third-party organizers for events that require more resources to reduce city staff hours.

Staff and WCIA recommended practical safety steps: require vendor contracts with indemnity/insurance language, avoid high-risk activities (for example, close review or disallowance of fireworks or stunt vendors), implement event action plans that list roles, medical plans and contact information, and conduct after-action reviews to capture lessons and economic impact information.

Council directed staff to return with clarified recommendations on three near-term items: (1) a parade protocol addressing candy distribution and walker/vehicle sequencing; (2) a staffing and communications plan to eliminate long pacing gaps and improve pre-event briefing of participants; and (3) a suggested policy statement on acceptable event risk and whether staff can proceed administratively or whether council-level decisions are required. Several members asked for a fast-track follow-up so organizers can finalize plans and suppliers can be engaged in time for the 2025 season.","At a long study session the council discussed event budgets, risk management and parade safety after last year's Duck Days issues; the city and insurer recommended stricter controls on parade staging and vendor contracts while council members asked for clearer policy on acceptable risk and a fast-track follow-up before this year's events.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6093692,"University Place council adopts 2025 update to NPDES Phase 2 stormwater plan",789,147000,936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2845697-941d38fa73b31d98fa02b9cf080f2036&start=147&end=936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2845697-941d38fa73b31d98fa02b9cf080f2036/thumbnail_147000.jpg","/articles/6093692/University-Place/Pierce-County/Washington/University-Place-council-adopts-2025-update-to-NPDES-Phase-2-stormwater-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093692-f3d9a46183eae86869e77314d4509c90/orig.mp4?Expires=1773749665&Signature=UNxxvkuoSLbHL2bdHkdQbRCN0YLkkfBjOoY5Ii7kbHM2SfwRIApMEg196gYzGF0rgpPwfoDhqYrfEiKcSSoFA6gX3wHaMCceJt0J3NL3vebfnihFiH2JtohSdCOpONnzqS4oRUiMuDPZhkzeetyRJFKpQWAIMTmRvImTlzCFR~Hvxa5PkNHwH~Y9SHa8YaZdOszgcu~hYRXKdJO24d-LfMVjlq-8~PWX14N1VZt~QG-ggkW7DPdwslg9BsOzP65uEKjXm9X6MejFasT6E-YbBm98kyxea6a9ImbKKcsXPwgKnIeMCV2vejwJswutH3QeRlPAIl7Ky8AVn4RmGjXh2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The University Place City Council unanimously adopted the 2025 update to the city’s Phase 2 NPDES stormwater management program during its March 17 meeting.

The update implements permit-required changes and adds an element to address compliance with state underground injection control (UIC) well requirements, commonly called dry wells, city public works director Jack Eklund told the council. \"We have added a new element, which is a compliance with underground injection control well program,\" Eklund said.

The program is required under the city’s Phase 2 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. Eklund and Todd Smith, the city’s NPDES coordinator, said the update corrects typos found in the council packet and removes nonrequired appendices while updating milestone schedules and the public comment record. \"The public comment period for this has been open since March 3, and then is closed effectively at the end of this public hearing,\" Eklund said; staff reported no public comments submitted to date.

Council members asked for clarification about the UIC well inventory and inspection requirements. Council member Worthington asked whether the city has UIC wells in use; Eklund responded that the city has “about 50” wells and that most predate February 2006, which requires an assessment to show they do not present a significant groundwater hazard. \"All of our ones that are after 02/2006 ... meets the requirements because we did build them per current standards,\" Eklund said.

Eklund explained inspection frequency: most dry wells are inspected roughly every two years, while infiltration tanks are inspected annually. He also told the council the stormwater program is funded through the city stormwater management fee, which is billed via the annual property tax for both residential and commercial properties. \"Our stormwater management program is paid for through our stormwater management fee,\" Eklund said.

After brief council discussion, Mayor Javier Figueroa called the roll. Council members Boykin, Worthington, McCluskey, Fleming, Grassi, Mayor Pro Tem Wood and Mayor Figueroa voted in favor; the motion passed 7-0.

The adopted document, placed on the dais during the meeting, corrected typographical errors found in the packet and added UIC-well compliance as element 12. Staff said the updated plan also tightens milestone language required under the permit and clarifies responsibilities for privately constructed wells, which are required to be registered with the state Department of Ecology.

Council members and staff said they will continue internal work to register and, where required, assess older UIC wells to meet state requirements. The adoption is an administrative implementation of the city’s NPDES permit rather than a change to city tax policy or fee levels.

Votes at a glance: the council approved the 2025 Phase 2 NPDES stormwater management program update by roll-call vote, 7 ayes, 0 nays.","The City Council voted 7-0 to adopt the 2025 update to the City of University Place Phase 2 NPDES stormwater management program after a public hearing; staff noted additions including an underground injection control (UIC) well compliance element and corrections to printed materials.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City finance team earns GFOA certificate of achievement for 27th year

Council member Worthington announces he will not seek re-election

University Place council studies city events; parade candy, pacing and insurance draw scrutiny

University Place council adopts 2025 update to NPDES Phase 2 stormwater plan